Brian Sorrell

I'm not sure that it's clothes around here so much as attitude -- but I'm construing attitude pretty broadly. I tend to smile and nod whenever a driver acknowledges me by his or her actions -- like yielding the right of way at stops, etc. They usually smile back (except the f^c<ers too wrapped up in their phone calls). That sort of positive attitude helps, no matter what I'm wearing. But also, I signal, ride fast in a straight line on the road, keep alert for traffic around me, and I think that drivers respond to that as well. I've had no problems on the road like what I read about here, like having things thrown at me or insults hurled from cars. Maybe I'm just lucky? Or I filter it out?

Or maybe it's because I recognize and avoid the phone f^c<ers, which accounts for at least half the traffic.

Anyway, put me in the "attitude makes the difference" camp. (And the hatred of cell phone drivers camp too.)

Blue Order

More like the re-education camp when the PEEK-A-BOO cult seizes power...

bbonnn

It's hard to isolate variables here, so I'll just give a general thought. When I'm decked out in my commuter uniform I'm usually biking with a purpose. I need to get to work, or get groceries, or whatever. I tend to ride a little faster and more aggressively. I don't slow down to smell the roses.

When I'm NOT in commuter gear, it usually means I'm on a fun ride. I go slower and I'm less single-minded on my destination, which may or may not affect how I ride. I haven't noticed. Maybe it's the smile.

I don't know how much any of these variables affects the way drivers see me. The times I've been honked at, I was taking the lane upwards on a hill or otherwise doing something "dangerous" in the eyes of cars. I think because of my gender and appearance (I look like I'm a youngster sometimes), the honking is more patriarchal than anything. "Get on the sidewalk!" means "I'm scared you're going to get hit, and I'm mad that you're putting yourself into a situation where I could kill you," versus "You're in my way - move, loser."

But that's pure conjecture on my part.

AlmostTrick

I agree with the whole attitude thing, but just how does one go about avoiding at least half of the traffic?

Brian Sorrell

I'm starting to get better at recognizing who's who and doing what -- sometimes by noticing that they're not signaling -- a tell tale sign that they have one busy hand, or just seeing through their windows. When I see them, say at an intersection, I figure that they're going to yield more than stop, so I plan to let them do so to let them ahead of me. That way, I really don't encounter them. From behind, you're toast on this point, but when you see them, if you can let them get ahead or around, you're in better position. I consider that avoidance.

Carusoswi

I definitely feel that how you ride influences the way most motorists treat you more than what you are wearing. In the days when I rode without a helmet, I did find that I got more respect when not wearing a cap than when wearing one. I attribute that to the fact that drivers could see that I was an adult (almost senior citizen category) without the cap than with it.

Now, a topic collateral to this one would be how other cyclists treat you based upon how you are dressed. If I dress in civvies without a helmet, platform pedals and my Lands End waterproof hiking shoes, the cyclists decked out in cycling goodies will not even nod in my direction. Put on even modest all purposes lycra shorts, shirt, wear a helmet-clipless pedals/shoes, and I get treated like a member of the club.

Go figure.

Caruso

bike2math

I agree, crazzies get a free pass to the front of the line whenever I can arrange it.

A survey I read found that most drivers who admit to not using their blinkers do so because it makes driving more like NASCAR. chew on that for a bit.